Golf ball washer



July 30, 1963 J. B. ILLO 3,099,027

GOLF BALL WASHER Filed Jan. 11, 1962 INVENTOR. (EH/v .B. 11. z. 0

fd/m/w/ 3,il9,t327 G911? BALL WASHER John 3. Ella, 4769 Rodeo Lane, Les Angcles 15, Filed Jan. 11, 1962, Ser. No. 1135,5122

14 Ciainis. (Ci. i-2Ii) This invention relates to equipment used to wash golf balls.

An object of this invention is to provide a golf ball washer wherein each golf ball introduced into the golf ball washer progresses a plurality of revolutions about the interior of the golf ball washer, and during the progress of each golf ball it is caused to shift from one axis of rotation to another with the result that substantially the entire surface of the golf ball is exposed to the scrubbing action of a brush.

Another object of this invention is to provide a golf ball washer of the character described wherein each golf ball progressing a plurality of revolutions about the interior of the golf ball washer and across the surface of the brush is exposed to considerably more surface of the brush than the mere length or circumference of the brush.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide a golf ball washer of the character described wherein the golf balls sequentially inserted into the golf ball washer follow a different path of travel across the surface of the brush which results in the brush being free of localized regions of wear, and which results in the bristles of the brush being uniformly worn from one end to the other.

A specific object of this invention is to provide a golf ball Washer of the character described wherein a screen is disposed in the golf ball washer which serves to filter the sediment removed from the golf balls and a drain plug is available to remove sediment and soiled cleaning solution when the quantity of sediment exceeds an acceptable amount.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a golf ball washer of the character described wherein a particular grade of sand may be deposited on the screen which aids in the cleaning of the golf balls.

A still more specific object of this invention is to provide a golf ball washer of the character described wherein golf balls may be introduced into the golf ball washer at one end, recovered at another end, and in this manner a plurality of golf balls may be introduced into the golf ball washer one after the other without first having to remove a cleaned golf ball before introducing another.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the description which follows taken in conjunction with the drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view illustrating and having embodied therein the present invention, parts being broken away for the purpose of revealing internal structure;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal, sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on line 22 of FIG. '1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the configuration of the ribs in cross-section; and

FIG. 5 is a reduced perspective view illustrating the golf ball washer of the present invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 5 there is shown a golf ball washer comprising -a hollow case it! having a semicylindrical upper section 12 which is rernovably secured to a lower section 14 by fasteners 16, and when assembled the case includes a forward end 13 and a rear end 21' Removability of the upper section 12 from the lower iQQ section 14 enables repairs to be made to components disposed within the case, or permits replacement of parts. The lower section 14 includes a substantially semicylindrical upper portion 22 and a downwardly extending tapered portion 24- which terminates in an externally threaded neck 26.

Threaded onto neck 26 is a coupling 27 which is employed to support the golf ball washer on a ground supported standard 29, the upper end of which is threaded to threadably mate with the coupling.

Partitioning the upper portion 22 from the tapered portion 24 is an arcuate filter screen 28, and secured to the filter screen is a pair of ribs 39 and 32 which will hereinafter be described in greater detail.

Axially and horizontally supported within the case 10 is a rotatable, cylindrical golf ball scrubbing brush 34, one end of the brush being adjacent the forward end 18 and the other end of the brush being adjacent the rear end 2%? of the case 10. The brush is made of bristles having suitable strength and resiliency to properly wash a golf ball, as for example nylon bristles.

The ribs 30 and 32 are obliquely arranged on the filter screen 28 with respect to the axis of the brush 34 and are inclined from the forward end 18 of the case toward the rear end 20 so that when the brush is rotated clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 1, by handle 36, golf balls 33 deposited in the forward end of the case will be caused by the ribs 3t; and 32 to be deflected from a substantially circular path of travel about the inner circumference of the case to a path of travel which is generally helical and which is inclined from the forward end of the case toward the rear end where the golf balls are recovered.

Upper section 12 has an opening 44 therein which is defined by an external annular flange 46. The opening is located adjacent the forward end 18 of the case 10 and through the opening golf balls 3d are deposited in the golf ball washer. During the passage of a golf ball from the forward end of the case to the rear end, it travels a plurality of revolutions about the inner circumference of the case, and each revolution may be divided into three phases: (1) rotation of the golf ball about the inner circumference of the case is generally circular and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the brush 34-; (2) the generally circular path of travel is interrupted by engagement of the golf ball with a rib which deflects the golf ball and the subsequent path of travel defined by the golf ball about the inner circumference is generally helical in conformance with the inclination of the rib; and (3) following disengagement of the golf ball with the rib the golf ball returns to a generally circular path of travel. The third phase continues into the first phase of the next revolution of the golf ball about the inner circumference of the case 10.

Golf balls progressing from the forward end to the rear end of the case 10 are also caused to rotate about an axis of their own and in proceeding through the three phases, this axis of rotation shifts twice. Further, the golf balls in rotating about an axis of their own also rotate counter to the axis of rotation of the brush 34.

The brush is rotated at greater number of revolutions than the number of revolutions of travel of the golf balls about the inner circumference of the case 10 with the result that exposure of the golf balls to the scrubbing action of the brush is directly related to the number of revolutions turned by the brush less the number of revolutions traveled by each of the golf balls.

Another feature of particular significance is that localized regions of wear do not occur in the brush for the reason that the golf balls continually engage and are engaged by different regions of the brush, and as a result, the wearing away of the bristles of the brush is uniform.

The passage of a single golf ball 38 through the case 3 10 will now be traced, and this will be combined with describing components of the golf ball washer in greater detail.

A golf ball inserted in the opening 44 drops onto the brush 34 and rotation of the brush by handle 36 brings the golf ball into engagement with the upper section 12 of the case 10. The space between the ends of the bristles of the brush and the case is less than the diameter of the golf ball and as a result engagement of the golf ball with the case results in partially embedding the golf ball in the bristles of the brush. The bristles of the brush, being resilient, urge the golf ball into frictional engagement with the case. Phase one of the first revolution of the golf ball about the inner circumference of the case it? begins with the continuing rotation of the brush 34 by the handle 36 causing the golf ball to travel downwardly into the case in a generally circular path which is in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the brush 3d, and engagement of the (golf ball with the case results in the golf ball rotating about a first axis of rotation of its own, the rotation of the golf ball being counter to the rotation of the brush.

The brush 34 has a shaft 43 extending axially therethrough and on each end of the shaft is a bearing 53. Each bearing rests and is supported in a semicylindrical bearing housing 52 which is integral with the lower section 14. On the upper section 12 are complementary semicylindrical bearing housings '54- which, with the cooperation of bearing housings 52, serve to enclose the bearings 50 when the case It is assembled. Secured to the forward end of the shaft 48 and disposed externally of the case 10 is the handle 36.

The brush 34 is partially immersed in a cleaning solution 56, the level of the cleaning solution being maintained preferably below bearing housings 52 as indicated by dotted line 58. The cleaning solution is preferably water, with a detergent or soap admixed therewith, although water alone, or any other suitable cleaning solution may be used. As the brush 34- is rotated it becomes Wet in its entirety, and as the :golf ball progresses from the forward end of the case to the rear end it is periodically immersed in the cleaning solution.

As the golf ball 38 is caused to travel downwardly on its first revolution about the inner circumference of the case 10 it engages the leading end 6%} of rib 39 which causes the ball to shift from the initial or first axis of rotation to generally a new or second axis of rotation which is the beginning of phase two.

The path of travel of the golf ball 38 following engagement thereof with the rib 3G is that defined by the inclination of the rib, and the aforementioned helical path of travel defined by the golf ball in phase two is initiated by rib 30.

Ribs 30 land 32 are made preferably of an elastomer material in order not to damage the golf ball, and in transverse cross-section, FIG. 4, the ribs have the configuration of the trapezoid. Rib 30 has a length greater than rib 32 for the reason which will hereinafter be recited in detail.

The and sediment removed from the golf ball filters downwardly through the cleaning solution and through the filter screen 28. Tapered portion 24 and neck 2s define a pocket 62 in which the dirt and sediment settle. A substantial quantity of the cleaning solution 'and some sediment may be removed from pocket 62 through a drain opening 64 which is located in tapered portion 24. To prevent loss of the cleaning solution, however, a plug 66 normally closes the drain opening 64. The cleaning solution may be introduced into the case it) through opening 44.

The filter screen 23 is supported in position by shoulders 68, only one being shown, see FIG. 3, which project inwardly into the case 10 from the forward and rear ends 18 and 2%. On each shoulder 63- is a projection 7% and registration of notches 72 in the filter screen with projections 7 i? achieves alignment of the filter screen in the lower section 14.

Optionally, a layer of round, graded sand may be placed on the filter screen for the purpose of aiding in cleaning of the golf balls, and it has been found that about an 8- mesh sand will produce satisfactory results. Dirt and sediment will pass through tile sand and into pocket 62.

As the brush 34* is made to continue its rotation the golf ball 3% begins its upwardly directed path of travel, and when the ball is free of rib 3d at the beginning of hase three, it returns to a generally circular path of travel which is in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the brush 34 Returning to a circular path of travel results in the golf ball shifting to a third axis of rotation, and this axis of rotation continues as the ball again starts a downwardly directed path of travel which is the beginning of phase one and of the second revolution of the golf ball about the inner circumference of the case 1%.

During the second revolution of the golf ball, phase two begins when it en ages the leading end 74 of rib 32 which effects shifting the golf ball to generally a fourth axis of rotation. The golf ball is caused to follow rib 32 in the same manner as it was caused to follow rib 3%. However, since rib 32 is shorter than rib 3b, the golf ball begins phase three sooner than in the case of rib 30. In returning to the generally circular path of travel (phase three), the golf ball shifts to a fifth axis of rotation.

The reason for the earlier return to the circular path of travel of the golf ball is so that the ball will be properly aligned for recovery. Provision for recovery of the golf ball is provided by the upper section 12 which has an opening "is adjacent the rear end 26 of the case 10, and projecting into the case through the opening is one end 78 of a chute 80 which is downwardly inclined from the horizontal and which receives the ball, as it starts phase one of its third revolution about the inner circumference of the case it Chute 8b is afiixed to a lip 81 of the case 10 by a fastener 33.

The one end 73 of the chute has a forwardly facing beveled edge 82 which serves to forwardly deflect the golf ball in the event it has shifted too far to the rear when starting its second revolution about the inner circumference of the case. This also has the efiect of properly aligning the ball with respect to rib 32.

As the golf ball is caused to start its third revolution it engages end 78 of the chute, rolls down the chute 80, through the opening 7 6 and bumps against a stop pin 84 on the end of the chute, where the ball is recovered.

The golf ball 33 progresses through in excess of two revolutions about the inner circumference of the case 10 and is also rotated approximately three times about the brush 34. The explanation for this is apparent from the following example: Where the brush 34 has a diameter of about 4 inches, the ball revolves in excess of twice about the inner circumference of the case It), while the brush is being rotated about 5 /2 revolutions. In traveling from the forward end of the brush to the rear end, the ball in this example is exposed to considerably more of the brush than just that represented by the length of the brush, the ball being scrubbed with about 3 feet of brush.

Also, a thorough cleaning of the golf ball is achieved for the reason that during the progress of the ball from the forward end to the rear end of the case it), the axis of rotation of the golf ball shifts a plurality of times to expose substantially all of the golf ball to the scrubbing action of the brush.

Also golf balls 38 may be introduced into the case 10 one after the other Without having to remove one clean golf ball before another may be cleaned.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom Within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded the full n3 scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices.

I claim:

1. A golf ball washer which comprises a generally cylindrical case having a forward and a rear end, said case having a first opening therein adjacent the forward end through which golf balls are introduced into said case, and a second opening adjacent the rear end of said case for recovering the golf balls, a rotatable, generally cylindrical golf ball scrubbing brush 'am'ally supported in said case, the inner wall of said case and the periphery of said brush defining a clearance which is less than the diameter of a golf ball, and means in said case for guiding and directing the progress of the golf ball from the forward end of said case toward the rear end, whereby each golf ball introduced into said case is rendered in frictional engagement between said brush and the inner wall of said case resulting in the golf ball rotating in a direction counter to the rotation of the brush when the brush is rotated while simultaneously being rotated about the inner circumference of said case and across the surface of said brush from the forward end of the case to the rear end, said means for guiding and directing the progress of the golf ball being helically inclined in a direction from the forward end toward the rear end, and the inclination being such that the golf ball rotates about the inner circumference of the case a plurality of revolutions while progressing from the forward end of the case to the rear end, and under the influence of said guiding means, the golf ball shifts from a generally circular path of travel to a generally helical path of travel and back to a generally circular path of travel.

2. A golf ball washer according to claim 1, wherein said means for guiding and directing the progress of the golf ball comprises a rib which partially circumscribes the inner circumference of said case.

3. A golf ball washer according to claim 1, wherein said means for guiding and directing the progress of the golf ball comprises a plurality of parallel, axially spaced ribs which partially circumscribe the inner circumference of said case.

4. A golf ball washer which comprises: a generally cylindrical case adapted to have a cleaning solution therein and which includes a forward end and a rear end; a rotatable, generally cylindrical golf ball scrubbing brush axially supported in said case and partially immersed in the cleaning solution, said case having a first opening therein adjacent the forward end thereof through which golf balls may be introduced into said case, the inner wall of the case and the periphery of the brush defining a clearance which is less than the diameter of a golf ball, each golf ball introduced into said case being rendered in frictional engagement between said brush and the inner wall of said case resulting in the golf ball being rotated by said brush about a first axis of its own while being substantially simultaneously rotated about the inner circumference of said case in a generally circular path of travel which is in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said brush, said case having a second opening therein adjacent the rear end of said case for recovering the cleaned golf balls; and directional control means disposed in said case which partially circtunscribes the inner circumference of said case and which is inclined in a direction from the forward end toward the rear end of said case, and which when engaged by said golf ball during the rotation of the golf ball about the inner circumference of said case effects a shifting of the golf ball from the generally circular path of travel and the first axis of rotation to a generally helical path of travel and a second axis of rotation, and following disengagement of said golf ball from said directional control means, said golf ball returns to a generally circular path of travel and a shifting to a third axis of rotation.

5. A golf ball washer according to claim 4, wherein said case has a pocket therein into which dirt and sediment from the golf balls settle.

6. A golf ball washer according to claim 4, wherein said case includes a substantially semicylindrical upper section and a lower section, the lower section having a semicylindrical upper portion partitioned from a lower portion which includes a pocket into which dirt and sediment from the golf balls settle.

7. A golf ball washer according to claim 4, wherein said directional control means includes a rib.

8. A golf ball washer which comprises: a generally cylindrical case adapted to have a cleaning solution therein, said case embodying -a lower section and an upper semicylindrical section which is removable from said lower section, and when assembled said case including a forward end and a rear end, said lower section embodying an upper semicylindrical portion and a lower portion which includes a pocket into which dirt and sediment from golf balls settle; a rotatable cylindrical golf ball scrubbing brush axially supported in said case and adapted to be partially immersed in the cleaning solution, said case having a first opening therein which is adjacent the forward end of said case and through which golf balls may be sequentially introduced into said case one after the other, the inner Wall of the case and the periphery of the brush defining a clearance which is less than the diameter of a golf ball, each golf ball introduced into said case being rendered in frictional engagement between said brush and the inner wall of said case resulting in the golf ball being rotated by said brush about a first axis of its own while being substantially simultaneously rotated about the inner circumference of said case in a generally circular path of travel which is in a plane substantially perpendicular to the 'aXis of rotation of said brush, said case having a second opening therein adjacent the rear end of said case for recovering the cleaned golf ball; a rib disposed in the upper portion of the lower section which partially circumscribes the inner circumference of said case and which is helically inclined in a direction from the forward end toward the rear end of said case, and which when engaged by said golf ball during the rotation of the golf ball about the inner circumference of said case effects a shifting of the golf ball from the generally circular path of travel and the first axis of rotation to a generally helical path of travel and a second axis of rotation, and following disengagement of said golf ball from said rib, said golf ball returns to a generally circular path of travel and a shifting to a third axis of rotation, the rotation of said golf ball being counter to the rotation of said brush resulting in each golf ball introduced into said case being thoroughly exposed to the scrubbing and cleaning action of said brush; and a filter means in the lower section of said case which partitions the upper portion from the lower portion and through which is filtered dirt and sediment scrubbed from golf balls.

9. A golf ball washer according to claim 8, wherein said first and second openings are in the upper section of said case.

10. A golf ball washer according to claim 9, wherein said filter means includes an arcuate filter screen.

11. A golf ball washer according to claim 8, wherein said lower portion of said lower section includes a normally closed drain opening through which the cleaning solution may be drained and through which dirt and sediment may be removed.

12. A golf ball washer according to claim 8, wherein said filter means includes an arcuate filter screen upon which graded round sand is disposed for aiding in the cleaning of golf balls.

13. A golf ball washer according to claim 8, wherein said rib is secured to said filter means.

14. A golf ball washer which comprises: a generally cylindrical case adapted to have a cleaning solution there in, said case embodying a lower section and an upper semicylindrical section which is removable from said lower section, and when assembled said case including a forward end and a rear end, said lower section embodying an upper semicylindrical portion and a lower portion which includes a pocket into which dirt and sediment from golf balls settle; a rotatable cylindrical golf ball scrubbing brush axially supported in said case and being 7 partially immersed in the cleaning solution, said case having a first opening therein which is adjacent the forward end of said case and through which golf balls may be sequentially introduced into said case one after the other, the inner wall of the case and the periphery of the brush defining a clearance which is less than the diameter of a golf ball, each golf ball introduced into said case being rendered in frictional engagement between said brush and the inner Wall of said case resulting in the golf ball being rotated by said brush about a first axis of its own while being substantially simultaneously rotated about the inner circumference of said case in a generally circular path of travel which is in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said brush, said case having a second opening therein adjacent the rear end of the said case for recovering the cleaned golf ball; a plurality of parallel, axially spaced ribs disposed in the upper portion of the lower section which partially circumscribe the inner circumference of said case and which are helically inclined from the forward end toward the rear end of said case, and each of which when engaged by said golf ball during the rotation of the golf ball about the inner circumference of said case effects a shifting of the golf ball from the generally circular path of travel and the first axis of rotation to a generally helical path of travel and another axis of rottion, and following disengagement of said golf ball with each rib, said golf ball returning to a generally circular path of travel and a shifting to still another axis of rotation, the rotation of said golf ball being counter to the rotation of said brush resulting in each golf ball introduced into said case being thoroughly exposed to the scrubbing and cleaning action of said brush, said golf ball progressing from the first opening to the second opening being caused to rotate about the inner circumference of said case a plurality of times which is less than the num- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Blakemore June 24, 1930 Floyd et a1. Mar. 31, 1931 

1. A GOLF BALL WASHER WHICH COMPRISING A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL CASE HAVING A FORWARD AND A REAR END, SAID CASE HAVING A FIRST OPENING THEREIN ADJACENT THE FORWARD END THROUGH WHICH GOLF BALLS ARE INTRODUCED INTO SAID CASE, AND A SECOND OPENING ADJACENT THE REAR END OF SAID CASE FOR RECOVERING THE GOLF BALLS, A ROTATABLE, GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL GOLF BALL SCRUBBING BRUSH AXIALLY SUPPORTED IN SAID CASE, THE INNER WALL OF SAID CASE AND THE PERIPHERY OF SAID BRUSH DEFINING A CLEARANCE WHICH IS LESS THAN THE DIAMETER OF A GOLF BALL, AND MEANS IN SAID CASE FOR GUIDING AND DIRECTING THE PROGRESS OF THE GOLF BALL FROM THE FORWARD END OF SAID CASE TOWARD THE REAR END, WHEREBY EACH GOLF BALL INTRODUCED INTO SAID CASE IS RENDERED IN FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN SAID BRUSH AND THE INNER WALL OF SAID CASE RESULTING IN THE GOLF BALL ROTATING IN A DIRECTION COUNTER TO THE ROTATION OF THE BRUSH WHEN THE BRUSH IS ROTATED WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY BEING ROTATED ABOUT THE INNER CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID CASE AND ACROSS THE SURFACE OF SAID BRUSH FROM FORWARD END OF THE CASE TO THE REAR END, SAID MEANS FOR GUIDING AND DIRECTING THE PROGRESS OF THE GOLF BALL BEING HELICALLY INCLINED IN A DIRECTION FROM THE FORWARD END TOWARD THE REAR END, AND THE INCLINATION BEING SUCH THAT THE GOLF BALL ROTATES ABOUT THE INNER CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE CASE A PLURALITY OF REVOLUTIONS WHILE PROGRESSING FROM THE FORWARD END OF THE CASE TO THE REAR END, AND UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF SAID GUIDING MEANS, THE GOLF BALL SHIFTS FROM A GENERALLY CIRCULAR PATH OF TRAVEL TO A GENERALLY HELICAL PATH OF TRAVEL AND BACK TO A GENERALLY CIRCULAR PATH OF TRAVEL. 